Jake Paul's MVP, PFL merge to create global combat sports platform

Combat sports are set to unite as Jake Paul's MVP Productions and the Professional Fighters League announced a merger Thursday.

The entities are set to combine under MVP's banner just months after MVP held its first MMA event.

"We started MVP to disrupt a broken model. We wanted to give fighters fair pay and a bigger, modernized stage to become global superstars," Paul said in a release. "Joining forces with PFL accelerates that vision by a decade. We now have a scaled platform to give today's fans what they want: elite talent mixed with culture, lifestyle, and massive social velocity."

MVP, which launched in 2021, promotes itself on a "fighter-first philosophy." It boasts a focus on boxing, MMA, athlete development and global distribution, among other interests.

PFL launched in 2018 in direct competition with UFC.

PFL CEO John Martin will oversee the combined company. Martin is the former chairman and CEO of Turner networks that include TNT, TBS, CNN and Turner Sports. Paul and MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian will continue to play active roles in the new partnership.

"We're not just combining companies, we're bringing an entire combat sports community together and creating a more powerful platform to accelerate growth," Martin said in a release. "One company, one global stage, millions of fans and we're only just getting started."

The new partnership boasts 400 athletes across multiple disciplines, with an intense focus on boxing and MMA. It is expected to keep its distribution partnerships with Netflix, ESPN and Sky Sports.

--Field Level Media